Overview
- Latest readings show combined storage at 54.6% on 26 February, down from 55.4% a week earlier and far below 74.1% at this time last year.
- Municipal modelling indicates levels could drop to about 40% by May if rainfall is average and usage does not decrease.
- Daily demand remains above targets, peaking at 1,073 million litres this week against a citywide goal of below 975 million litres per day, with average use near 178 litres per person.
- The City reports spending R460.8 million annually on repairs to an ageing 11,000km network that loses significant water, while pressure management and pipe replacements continue.
- Long-term projects to add roughly 300 million litres per day by around 2031—led by the Faure reuse scheme and Paarden Eiland desalination—are progressing, as officials caution that Level 1–2 restrictions in 2026 remain possible if demand stays high and rainfall underperforms.